SOUTH PORTLAND — The City Council will consider passing a six-month moratorium on licensing marijuana businesses so city officials would have time to weigh legal questions triggered by last week’s passage of a statewide recreational marijuana initiative.
The council was scheduled to discuss a maximum 180-day moratorium at Monday’s workshop and would vote on it at future meetings.
The passage of Question 1 allows adults 21 and older to possess up to 2½ ounces, grow their own plants and buy marijuana from licensed retail stores. It also allows marijuana social clubs and places a 10 percent sales tax on marijuana.
Under the initiative, municipalities can decide whether to allow or prohibit marijuana-related businesses, including growing, testing, packaging and retail facilities. If they’re allowed, a city or town can enact zoning and licensing measures to regulate them. If a municipality bans marijuana businesses, private marijuana possession and use would still be legal statewide.
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has up to nine months to promulgate rules for licensing retail marijuana businesses.
Several Maine communities – including Westbrook, Gray, Saco, Brewer and Bangor – have already enacted or considered similar moratoriums.
On Wednesday, officials in Gardiner are expected to consider a moratorium on retail marijuana social clubs and establishments at the request of a city councilor who said a constituent had asked for the discussion.
In Skowhegan, selectmen are crafting ideas for rules governing marijuana social clubs and retail sales.
Skowhegan already has a controlled-substance facility ordinance that regulates methadone clinics and medical marijuana dispensaries.
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